Fair Trading Deputy Commissioner Steve Griffin is reminding consumers to be careful when stocking up on firewood this winter.

Mr Griffin said the Trade Measurement Act and Regulations governed the selling of firewood and consumers should know their rights to avoid being ripped off by underweight product.

“Firewood is normally sold by the truck or ute load, by weight, or by volume,” he said.

“While the law does not require a particular method to be used when selling firewood, if it is sold by measurement, such as weight (e.g. kilograms) or volume (e.g. cubic metres), the law requires that the consumer receives at least the quantity of firewood specified on the invoice or receipt, which the trader must provide.

“If firewood is sold by mass (weight) and if a scale is used, the scale must be approved by the National Measurement Institute (shown by a NMI approval number on it).

“Where firewood is sold by volume, then the stated quantity supplied must be at least the volume worked out using the dimensions of the firewood, neatly stacked with as few gaps as practicable (the ‘volume test’). 

“The law does not require the trader to stack the firewood neatly, just to make sure that the stated volume meets the ‘volume test’.

“If the firewood is sold by the load, then the consumer should be given the opportunity to inspect the load before accepting delivery.

“If a trader is selling pre-packaged firewood that has been packed by another trader, then the package must be marked with the quantity of firewood and the name and street address of the packer.

“If the trader packs and sells the firewood on his or her own premises, then the package need only be marked with the quantity of firewood.”

Mr Griffin said individuals caught breaking the law risked penalty notices of $550 each or could find themselves in court facing fines of up to $20,000 for an individual or $100,000 for a corporation.  

“If you feel you have been supplied with less wood than what you paid for, contact NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20 or lodge a complaint at this website.” he said.

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